Final-Audio New Series electrostatics
I am a fan of Final-Audio Electrostatic speakers. I have transitioned to the current models. Any others out there in audio land using the newest iterations? The M series.
Tim de Paravicini may have the Title the Godfather of Direct Drive ESL's, especially relating the Quad 57's? I was to hear DD 57's in the early 90's and become smitten, I have been an ESL user shortly after the TdP experience, and had purpose designed Power Amp's produced to drive the ESL's, both remain in use today. |
In relation to DD ESL's, Emia Audio have their design for a stacked Quad 57 ESL. The person who was the first to demonstrate to me stacked 57's, and who was totally adept at refurbishing the 57 Speaker, was informing me of their design for the stacked 57, which from recollection would share similar design used by Emia. |
Friends who own and use daily Quad 2812' and Stacked 57's, as well as a Friend who has owned 63's of which one pair was a model from the first 200 produced and another 63, which were a pair much later production models. These Friends have recently been invited to a Quad X demo' at an Audio Dealers Premises not too far from their homes. On the initial visit and demo' there was a SS System in use and the Upstream devices were unfamiliar to my friends. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJkdXHMw-YU&t=7s The Following are extract from the email reports offered Initial Visit and Demo' The 2912Xs are slightly narrower in width compared to their predecessors although the 'all-black' finish may prove unpalatable to some potential buyers aiming to achieve domestic harmony. Despite their slimmer profile, by most people's measure, they remain very large speakers. A close-up inspection confirmed that the product finish was excellent. My listening impressions of the system closely mirrored those of Peter. I think that the main problem here was the quality of the streaming files used for the demonstration. Solid-state amplification is not my favoured partner for electrostatics but with 200 watts on tap, the Platina was clearly not short of power. It was also stated to be a 'high-current ' amp. The tracks selected by Peter Comeu produced some very pleasing sounds but judged against the group's familiar electrostatic systems, did indeed, seem to be lacking the 'X' factor ( pun intended ! ). THE QUAD 2912X REVISITED Hi all, Following on from the Quad demonstration held at Martins last month, I thought that it might be of interest to update those who did not attend with some thoughts on a second audition , kindly arranged by Peter, which took place a few days ago. This time around, we were able to hear the 2912X speakers using a source component and amplification familiar to the group viz. my E.A.R. Acute Classic CD player / DAC and John's EAR 861 power amplifier. Having after the initial demonstration left rather underwhelmed with the performance of the 2912Xs using SS Quad equipment previously auditioned, I am pleased to say that this 'revised' audition did not disappoint. It literally took just a matter of seconds listening to Radka Toneff singing 'The moon's a harsh mistress' to realise that we were back in familiar electrostatic listening territory. As we played a succession of well-known tracks , the profound contrast in presentation between the initial and second sessions became more apparent, almost 'chalk and cheese ' if you like. It seemed as if every aspect of the listening experience had been elevated and enhanced. Based on what I heard over the course of our 90 minute session , I would say that the new ESL 2912X does indeed, as claimed, offer improved dynamics compared with its predecessor(s) The treble performance is outstanding - in my opinion. the best achieved by any Quad 'stat , to date. The retrieval of ultra-fine H.F. detail is hugely impressive. It's almost as if the listener is hearing detail within the detail, so to speak. I also got the impression that the transient response was marginally improved - lightning-fast and truly startling at times. I couldn't really say that I found the improvements made by Quad to the 'X' range has made the mid-range more open' than previously, but it remains outstanding, by any measure. My only caveat, in this brief review, would be regarding bass performance. Compared with John's smaller 2812s, the lower register still sounded a bit 'thin' and lacking in weight. Mick Fleetwood's kick-drum intro on ' The Chain' , for example, sounded more 'semi-skimmed' than 'full-fat'. The tonal quality of double- bass strings on jazz recordings also seemed to be lacking something in comparison to previous renditions that the group has auditioned though John's home system. I did note that the space behind the 2912X s, as demoed to Peter, John and myself was filled with various piles of equipment and a large subwoofer ( not connected b.t.w. ) so far from ideal. However, I'm just wondering if Quad have carried out some modifications to the crossover circuitry, which may have had some bearing on matters. This however, is pure conjecture on my part Overall then, a big thumbs-up for the 2912X, when partnered with alternative components, in the audio-chain. I think it fair to say that we were all highly impressed with what Quad has achieved with the latest iteration of their electrostatic transducer being used with the familiar EAR Source and Amplification. |
Holy Fooock ! You Guys like going deep into the Rabbit Hole ! Anyways I’ve talked to and met @pinwa at T.H.E. Show in Costa Mesa where he heard the M35’s but not my setup with the M7 passive Hybrid’s. Very nice Guy and we have a mutual friend Krazy Kalina (another one of the "good ones"). I’ll cut to the Shxxt here. I own the M12+’s with 4 SVS SB2000 Sealed Subs in a swarm setup. The burn in period in pure BS to my ears ! But then I don’t believe in burn of any kind. The 12+’s sound as good today as they did over a month ago. I push the Foock out them sometimes to the point that I keep a stash of fast blow 1A fuses neaby. Not a fault of the Speakers. I just do stupid Shxxt to them sometimes. Even blew open the Plasma Fuse inside the Transformer Box ! Again, not a fault of the Speakers. "It’s just me" I run ArgentPur Monoblocks with Orchard Audio Ultra Modules and solid silver wire throughout. My entire rig is wired by ArgentPur Solid Silver Wires EVERYWHERE. Got ’em up my Arse too ! Anyway. Working with Ravi on the purchase (as Clandestine as it is) - get the Website up and running Brah ! Martin also has been great regarding technical support on the Tranformer box design. I’m learning my way through from input to ouput. They are great Foocking Speakers !!! Back into the the Rabbit Hole Boyz !!! |
I am late to this thread, but I found it very interesting. I am the third owner of my Acoustat 1+1 speakers. I purchased them from for only $350 from a friend that was very disappointed with the bass. I thought the sound was terrific and purchased them on the spot. Then I added a Vandersteen sub and invited him over. He was blown away by how they sounded. Today, I run them with an active SPL crossover limiting the signal to the 1+1’s above 70 Hz with a steep -24 dB slope. The signal to the dual Rythmik F12SE subs is limited to below 70 Hz with the same -24dB slope. I keep wanting to get new speakers but have not found any that I prefer to this set up. I listened to the M35’s in Costa Mesa last summer and liked them, but felt they were lacking just a bit in bass oomph. I would personally add a pair of subs to them and have the crossover at around 50 Hz. But at $21k for the pair I won’t be making that test. Half that price, and I might be tempted. My speakers are around 35 years old. Electrostatic speakers just have a presence that other speakers are missing. It is kind of like how some people love horn driven speakers (I don’t, but I appreciate them). They just sound different. Electrostatic speakers, in my space, makes me believe that I am in a mid sized live acoustic concert venue. It also helps that all my equipment was selected over the years to complement the 1+1’s. |
